Folding table leaves



July s, 1930. M. mx 1,170,104 FOLDING TABLE LEAVES Filed Nov. 19, 1924 Patented July 8, 1930 IUETE STATES MARTIN FOX, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE SENG- COMPANY, OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS, A CORFOBATION OF ILLINOIS FOLDING TABLE LEAVES Application filed November 19, 1924.

This invention relates more particularly to the provision of one or more intermediate leaves which may be inserted between the separate parts of an extension table, the leaves being foldable into a recess below the table top when not in use. The principal object of the invention is to provide a new and improved construction for supporting the additional leaves when the table is extended. This is made effectivel by providing a construction in which the leaves are easily folded or extended; by adequately supporting the leaves at the center when they are unfolded; by permitting a limited lateral movement of the leaves and their folding construction; by

providing a pivoting and supporting strucn ture which is freely movable without danger of cramping or binding the leaves in the operation of folding or unfolding; by providing a supporting andy folding structure for the leaves which occupies a minimum space and allows the leaf to'fold compactly; and by providing a simple construction which does not easily get out of order and yet is entirely prac,- tical, but does not represent a substantial increase in cost of installation.

In the accompanying` drawings Fig. 1 is a sideelevat-ion partly in section of va table leaf in folded position; Fig. 2 illustrates a portion of the leaf when in raised position; Fig. 3 is a plan View illustrating the leaf in raised position; Fig. i is a perspective of a modified simple form; and Fig. 5 illustrates this modified form in folded position.

In applying this invention to an extension table an ordinary separate table leaf is cut in two at the'center, or a pair of similar' leaf parts 6 are connected at the center by means of an invisible hinge 7 mounted in recesses 8 and secured and operative so that it can not be seen from the top when the leaf is eX- tended, as in Fig. 2. Each leaf is adapted to be contained in a compartment below the level of the ordinary table leaves as defined by opposite side boards 9, a connecting base board 10, and covered by the ordinary table top when the extension leaves are not in use. Leaves of this kind are usually provided with corresponding dowels 11 and recesses 12.

Split or sectional table leaves of this kind Serial No. 750,79).

are well known in the art and this invention consists in the novel means for mounting and supporting the leaves for operation and use. Pivotally connected to the base board and to the underside of one of the leaf part-s 6 by means of bracket plates 12 is a swinging link 13 generally U-shaped in form but having Dent extremities 14 to prevent disengagement from the plates 12 by which these ends are attached to the leaf 6 and with an intermediate crank portion 15 extending inwardly and within the plane of the remainder of the link. The bracket plates 12 by means of which the link is pivoted to the base 10 are disposed substantially midway between the crank portion and the sides of the link to permit the lateral sliding movement of the link itself and of the table leaf to which it is connected for permitting the clearance of the dowel pins 11 in the folding and unfolding movement of the leaves and to provide for the engagement of the dowel pins with the correspending recesses 12 of adjacent leaves.

Beneath the central edge of the leaf part 6 to which t-he pivoting link 13 is attached, a strut member 16 is pivotally attached to the base 10 by means of plates 12. This strut 11 is also generally U-shaped in form with the extremities 17 turned over inwardly and engaged by the plates 12 to prevent any dis placement of the strut. Loosely connected to the intermediate portion of the strut 16 is a strap 18, preferably made of strip metal, the other' end of which is pivotally connected to the crank portion 15 of the pivoting link 13. The loose connection with the strutis for the purpose of permitting the strap 18 to slide along the strut when the table leaf is moved laterally, the strut remaining in position on the base.

To operate this construction the leaves 6 are simply grasped and raised, moved or rotated in the direction permitted by the pivoting link 13 the strut 16 being raised by this action to a` position below the inner end of the pivoted leaf 6 to support it, the outer end being supported by the side rail 9, only one of which is shown in Fig. 2. The other leaf part 6 may be unfolded at the time they are both raised yor it may be unfolded after the pivoted part has been placed in linal position. In order to'facilitate the movement of the leaves, a supporting rail or cross piece 19 is preferably vattached to the base'lO upon which the outer link at an angle thereto andforming the strut portion upon which the hinged center of the leaf is supported. In this case, however, a recess mustv be provided for receiving the angularstrut portion when the leaves are folded and instead rofhaving a solid base board 10, as shown in the other form of the invention, av pair of base boards 2e are provided `which are spaced apart slightly more han the width of the strut portion so that it will be received between them when the structure is folded and still will permit lateral movement of the pivoting link member 21because of the connection ,of the brackets 12 to the base boards 24 intermediate the sides of the pivoting link 21 and by means of which thc link is pivotally connected to the base boards 24:.

In operating this device theleaves are siniply raised and swung to position as described in connection with the other form, the angular strut portion 23 assuming the supporting position at the center of the hinged leaf by the movement of the pivoting Ylink when the leaf part to which it is attached is moved into its proper position.

Although this construction is described in connection with dining or extension tables it is also applicable and may be used in connectionwith any table or construction where -a drawer is provided, the hinged leaf being concealed in the drawer and supported by the drawer sides and the central strut, as explained above. i

Iclaim: i

1. In a folding table leaf, the combination with a pair of leaf sections hinged together and adapted to be folded and stored below portion extending from that portion vof the link which is pivoted to the fixed support.

Y 3. In a folding table leaf, the combination with hinged leaf members, of a U-shaped link for pivoting the leaf members, each extremity of the link being bent over and the end of each extremity being again bent at an angle thereto, and pivoting` brackets for the link adapted to connect the bent over extremity `with a portion of the table leaf, and other brackets disposed between the parallel arms of the link to permit a limited lateral movement of the link and of the leaf with respect to a support upon which it is pivoted.

Il. The combination with a hinged leaf, of a pivoting link connected at one end to a fixed supportand at the other to one of the leaf parts, a pivotally mounted support for engaging the un der side of one of the leaf parts adjacent the hinge, and member connecting the support` andA the link intermediate the pivots ofV the latter whereby the swinging movement of the link will raise and lower the support.

5. A hinged table leaf in combination with a hinging link therefor, the link being pivoted to one ofthe leaf parts at one endiand to a fixed support at the other end and having a crank portion intermediate its ends, a supporting strut for the hinged portion of the leaf, and a strap member connecting the strut and the said crank portion of the link for simultaneous operation of one with the other.

6. In an extension table, a folding table leaf, a pivoting link for mounting the leaf to swing to and fromextended position, a strut spaced from theV link to support `the hinged portion of the leaf when it is extended, a strap connecting the strut and the link for operating one with the other, and a support for the free ends of the leaf when in'folded position to provide space beneath the leaf to assist in raising it.

MARTIN FOX.

their extended position when not in use, and

pivoting and supporting means comprising a link pivotedjto the underside of one of the leaf sections intermediate its ends and at the other end to-a fixed support and having a crank portion which is operated and swung by the link.

.2. In a folding table leaf, the combination with a double ended link the'extremities of which are pivoted to a portion of a table leaf7 a fixed vsupport to which the intermediate `portion ofthe link is pivoted, and a crank 

